[Daseal]

San Diego Chargers: The Chargers have rebuffed a proposal from the agents for first-round pick Shawne Merriman in which the former Maryland defensive end would have attended the club's offseason program but not participated in any on-field activities.

"There is no such thing as a half-Charger here," general manager A.J. Smith told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "Either you're a Charger or you're not."

The earlier of the Chargers' two choices in the first round, and the 12th prospect taken overall, Merriman skipped a recent minicamp because he and his agents had issues with the language in the injury protection agreement that San Diego uses for draft choices. Such agreements essentially stipulate that a franchise will negotiate in good faith with a player even if he is injured before signing his contract.

Merriman and his agents, Kevin Poston and Carl Poston, have said the player will sit out all offseason workouts until the matter is resolved. They have contended the language in the agreement does not adequately cover Merriman in the event of an injury. Chargers officials countered that the agreement was accepted by other draft choices and that they have used the same language for years.

"We thought we made a good-faith gesture," Kevin Poston said. "I want [Merriman] to be there, and he wants to be there. We want him to meet with coaches, talk with coaches, walk through things, but just not do any physical activities."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2063708

probably a blessing we didn't take him like many wanted to.